February 2023
NO MEETING IN FEBRUARY
NEXT MEETING MARCH 4, 2023
Time and place to be determined
Well it is still winter! So far it it has been a long, snowy, cold winter. Hopefully our iris are holding up well under the snow!
Dues: Send your $10.00 yearly dues to Swede Gustafson, 3128 Eldora Lane, Missoula, MT 59803 .
Jim Sadler, Missoula Iris Society member, has written an article on floral designs titled “The Use of Space in Floral Design”. Please see the article at the end of this newsletter. Every year our show includes 5 or 6 design categories. We encourage people to be thinking about designs. You may think you don't know how to create a design but we have many designers in our group who will give you support. Thank you Jim for your article.
MIS member Delane Langton has written a review of 2022 activities at Eagle Ridge Iris Gardens. It’s a great peek behind the scenes. Look forward to reading it with the March newsletter!
Gift Basket for the 2023 AIS National American Iris Society Convention in Dallas, Texas
This year the national convention is in Dallas, Texas, April 12-16. Each region of the AIS submits a gift basket to be auctioned at the AIS convention. Delane Langton will be taking the Region 11 gift basket to the 2023 AIS convention in Dallas. It will be a Montana themed basket and we have been asked to donate items for this basket. Region 11 Big Sky Iris Society, Billings, and the Magic Valley Iris Society, Twin Falls, ID, are participating with items for the basket. If any of you have ideas for this basket, please let me know. I would like to have it ready to go by the end of February.
In 2025 the National American Iris Society will be in Billings, MT. Delane Langton, Missoula Iris Society member, is the chair person for this event.
Our annual iris show at Southgate Mall is in the planning stages. The projected date is Saturday, June 10. The mall has been contacted, Anne Bowman, Vice President, has been working on the theme for the show, and Judy Blunt will update our show schedule. We sometimes have a Median Show at the end of May as well. Both schedules will be updated and sent to the AIS for approval.
There will be a board meeting held next month to plan our year.
A judges meeting will be scheduled in February to discuss the upcoming iris shows and their ongoing education.
Our annual renewal of our 501(c) status has been filed with the Montana Secretary of State.
Betty Ann Gustafson, MIS President
TREASURER'S REPORT: as of January 25, 2023 – END OF 2022 REPORT
CHECKING ACCOUNT: based on November, 2022 newsletter report: $830.99
Expenses Paid:
Ron Dowell -: 2022 lawn care................$ 350.00
Paul Ronaldo Sprinklers-: winterize............75.00
Carol Addeo -: Chrismas party turkey ........27.19
Total.................................................. $ 452.19
Transfer from Savings:...............................600.00
November 30, Balance...........................$1158.80
I closed the books for 2022 on December 1, 2022 based on the above balance.
The Savings Balance will be reported at the next MIS meeting.
JANUARY 25, 2023 CHECKING ACCOUNT:
Opening Balance...................................$1158.80
Income: 7 memberships received ...............70.00
Balance ................................................ $1228.00
Expenses Paid:
American Iris Society memberships ..........60.00
American Iris Society affiliation fee...........30.00
Montana Corporation Filing fee..................20.00
Checking balance as of Jan. 25, 2023 ...$1118.80
I wish to thank all the members who have paid their 2023 memberships as it will allow the officers to construct the 2023 membership listing. If you have not paid your dues yet please do so prior to February 20, so we will be able to have the membership updated list ready for the March 4, meeting. It is a lot of work to get everyone's information properly inserted on the listing each year. We would like not to have to do it more than once. Thanks.
The financial books will be audited soon by members as selected by President Betty Ann.
PRESIDENTIAL RHIZOMES: Presidential Rhizome winners: October: Anne Bowman and Donna Dowell, November Shirley Hall
And now, enjoy “The Use of Space in Floral Design” by Jim Sadler.
The Use of Space in Floral Design
One of the elements of design is Space. When in the process of placing plant material in a floral design, the creation of “Space” should be a major consideration. A designer, to have a successful floral design, needs to learn how to manipulate space. Space is that part of the design that contains no design materials. It is the vacant area. The area is absent of design materials.
The 7 elements of design are space, line, form, light, color, texture and pattern. A balance of these elements is vital to every floral design. The use of space within a design is often a crucial factor in achieving a successful design. When viewing a pleasing design, you will notice that space can be used to compliment the other elements of design. So, to begin, let’s determine how does a designer uses space.
In a floral design, the area around the total design should be first considered. A designer chooses how their design is to be viewed. Whether in a niche or against a back panel, with no backings, on a table or pillar, affects decisions to be made in construction of the design.
As an observer of a design, have you ever asked yourself why the design is confusing and scattered and not cohesive. More than likely the floral material is clumped together with no one element being given visual weight or definition. The issue is most likely due to the fact that there is not enough space surrounding or included within the design materials. Space visually organizes design materials; it helps to create focal points, special relationships and areas of interest. The use of space is particularly important when your design successfully uses the other elements of design.
Space can be used to give emphasis to materials used in the design. Wider or open spaces will separate design materials from each other and give a more expansive view of the design. Enclosed space can add volume and drama to a design. Narrower spaces add more of a visual connection of design materials. The result will enhance the visual impact.
Space allows the viewer to use their imagination as their eye travels through the design. It allows the viewer to visually rest when viewing the design. It underscores the importance of different materials used in the design. Our mind fills in the blanks and will give visual volume when only a suggestion of enclosed space exists.
The task of the designer is to take the materials they have on hand and tell a story. The story can be as simple as the use of the color pink. By manipulating your materials and successfully using space, and the other elements of design, the viewer should be able to appreciate what you are communicating.
